Hello family! How is it that Christmas is over just as fast as it
came?! That had to have been the quickest 40 minutes of my life! So
unfair! Haha But I am so happy that I got to see you! Although I was a
blubbering mess through the majority of it, I promise that they were
happy tears! I just love you all too dang much! And I love being a
missionary too dang much!
Christmas was just perfect! Right after our call with you, we went to
the community Christmas dinner they were putting on downtown. It was
really tough to put on a happy face because I just been crying a ton,
but I did my best to fake it and went in ready to cheer others up! We
sat a table with two elderly couples, and we immediately struck up
conversation! I was next to I and E, who I just adore. They have
been married just 5 years, and they aren't members, but I is way
into genealogy! We had a great conversation about family history, but
she didn't show much interest in the church. We had
conversation-starter questions at each table, and those were a blast
to ask! The difference in answers between elderly people and two
sister missionaries was quite entertaining! At the end of the dinner,
we had made some wonderful friends, but we couldn't quite turn them
into potential investigators. I left them with our number just in case
they needed anything. The very next day, we got a phone call! However,
we missed the call, and when we called back, we couldn't catch her.
Finally today we got a hold of her!
"I" asked to speak with me specifically, and then she expressed her
appreciation for me! She said, "I came home thinking how much I
enjoyed that dinner and I couldn't figure out why! Then I realized it
was because of you! The way you asked me questions and showed so much
interest in me, young kids just don't do that anymore! You are such an
outstanding young lady. Thank you for making that supper such a
wonderful experience." DAY=MADE! LIFE=MADE! What a self esteem boost!
I expressed my appreciation for her thoughts, but I made sure to give
credit where credit is due! I told her, "I come from an amazing family
that taught me how to care about others. So thank them not me!" And it
is so true! My family and my dear friends have taught me what it means
to care for others, and how to genuinely want to know more about
others! What a blessing! Thank you!
So in Canada, Boxing Day is actually a holiday! Basically it's just
another version of Black Friday, but that meant that we got to get
together with the missionaries in our zone! The Stake Presidency made
us breakfast, we sang Christmas carols (including the 10 days of
Canadian Christmas 😂 hysterical!), and volleyball!!!!! 🙌🏼 it was so
much fun!! It was a nice stress reliever, and it was a blast to just
get to know other missionaries. It definitely wasn't a professional
volleyball game by any means... Haha I'm sure it was hilarious to
watch! Lots of interesting strategies were taken into play! We all had
so much fun. I was sore for 2 days! I'm way out of playing shape! Haha
But I'm serving with some pretty incredible people! And it's going to
get even better!
Transfer calls were this week, and I am staying in Lacombe!!! Whoo! My
new companion will be Sister P! She's from Calgary, and she is
such a sweetheart! I can't wait to serve with her! She will do wonders
here in Lacombe.
Having Christmas in the mission field was completely different than I
expected. Because it was so normal! Haha it was a great time spent
with my Canadian family and friends reflecting on my Savior and the
gift that he is. Everyone says that Christmas on the mission is an
incredible time, and they are right! I've never felt closer to my
Savior or more grateful for His gift to me, love. Unconditional,
unwavering love. There isn't a better gift out there! The phrase "Wise
Men Still Seek Him" has more meaning to me now than it ever has! The
wisest of men still seek Christ after the Christmas season is over! We
shouldn't need a special time of year to remember our Savior, but
rather we need to seek him always! I pray that as we start this new
year, we will evaluate how we can make 2016 the most Christ-like year
we've ever had! I know I plan to make it that way, but I have it a
little easier than most of you in that category 😉
Happy New Year! I love you all!!
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed
came?! That had to have been the quickest 40 minutes of my life! So
unfair! Haha But I am so happy that I got to see you! Although I was a
blubbering mess through the majority of it, I promise that they were
happy tears! I just love you all too dang much! And I love being a
missionary too dang much!
Christmas was just perfect! Right after our call with you, we went to
the community Christmas dinner they were putting on downtown. It was
really tough to put on a happy face because I just been crying a ton,
but I did my best to fake it and went in ready to cheer others up! We
sat a table with two elderly couples, and we immediately struck up
conversation! I was next to I and E, who I just adore. They have
been married just 5 years, and they aren't members, but I is way
into genealogy! We had a great conversation about family history, but
she didn't show much interest in the church. We had
conversation-starter questions at each table, and those were a blast
to ask! The difference in answers between elderly people and two
sister missionaries was quite entertaining! At the end of the dinner,
we had made some wonderful friends, but we couldn't quite turn them
into potential investigators. I left them with our number just in case
they needed anything. The very next day, we got a phone call! However,
we missed the call, and when we called back, we couldn't catch her.
Finally today we got a hold of her!
"I" asked to speak with me specifically, and then she expressed her
appreciation for me! She said, "I came home thinking how much I
enjoyed that dinner and I couldn't figure out why! Then I realized it
was because of you! The way you asked me questions and showed so much
interest in me, young kids just don't do that anymore! You are such an
outstanding young lady. Thank you for making that supper such a
wonderful experience." DAY=MADE! LIFE=MADE! What a self esteem boost!
I expressed my appreciation for her thoughts, but I made sure to give
credit where credit is due! I told her, "I come from an amazing family
that taught me how to care about others. So thank them not me!" And it
is so true! My family and my dear friends have taught me what it means
to care for others, and how to genuinely want to know more about
others! What a blessing! Thank you!
So in Canada, Boxing Day is actually a holiday! Basically it's just
another version of Black Friday, but that meant that we got to get
together with the missionaries in our zone! The Stake Presidency made
us breakfast, we sang Christmas carols (including the 10 days of
Canadian Christmas 😂 hysterical!), and volleyball!!!!! 🙌🏼 it was so
much fun!! It was a nice stress reliever, and it was a blast to just
get to know other missionaries. It definitely wasn't a professional
volleyball game by any means... Haha I'm sure it was hilarious to
watch! Lots of interesting strategies were taken into play! We all had
so much fun. I was sore for 2 days! I'm way out of playing shape! Haha
But I'm serving with some pretty incredible people! And it's going to
get even better!
Transfer calls were this week, and I am staying in Lacombe!!! Whoo! My
new companion will be Sister P! She's from Calgary, and she is
such a sweetheart! I can't wait to serve with her! She will do wonders
here in Lacombe.
Having Christmas in the mission field was completely different than I
expected. Because it was so normal! Haha it was a great time spent
with my Canadian family and friends reflecting on my Savior and the
gift that he is. Everyone says that Christmas on the mission is an
incredible time, and they are right! I've never felt closer to my
Savior or more grateful for His gift to me, love. Unconditional,
unwavering love. There isn't a better gift out there! The phrase "Wise
Men Still Seek Him" has more meaning to me now than it ever has! The
wisest of men still seek Christ after the Christmas season is over! We
shouldn't need a special time of year to remember our Savior, but
rather we need to seek him always! I pray that as we start this new
year, we will evaluate how we can make 2016 the most Christ-like year
we've ever had! I know I plan to make it that way, but I have it a
little easier than most of you in that category 😉
Happy New Year! I love you all!!
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed
ok, I'm working on this...... stay tuned. I hope to get it resolved soon!
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